"That is a great blessing, is it not?"
"It is, indeed, miss."
After a little more conversation, the vicar's daughter passed on her way down the street, leaving Mrs. Lethbridge gazing after her with a look of interest and approval on her face.
Presently the boys returned from school, and their mother went in to prepare their tea, placing the baby in Molly's arms to nurse.
The little girl sat on the doorstep in the sunshine. Baby was heavy, but she held him firmly. The village children, curious at the sight of a strange face, paused outside Rose Cottage to stare at Molly, but she did not mind, only smiled at them in her usual friendly fashion.
One little girl spoke to her at length, asking—
"What's your name, eh?"
"Molly," still smiling.
"What else?" Then, receiving no answer, "Where do you come from?"
Still no answer, except a shake of the golden head.